CARING VOLUNTEERS have removed layers of ivy at a beloved nature centre to transform an overgrown corral into a safe place for people to rest their horses.
The team representing the West Pennine Bridleways Association (WPBA) spent around 90 minutes hacking away ivy, which is poisonous to horses, from the enclosure outside the Brownhill Countryside Centre in Dobcross.
They hope more people will be encouraged to use the route now there is a safe space to leave their horses while they call into the Limekiln Café or use the public toilets.
Helen Taylor, newly appointed Access and Bridleways Officer in Oldham and Saddleworth for the British Horse Society, led the team effort.
She said: “The Limekiln Cafe provided us with drinks and lovely sandwiches and this really helped to keep the team working.
“Just as we finished the job there were a couple of ponies walking past and we borrowed them off their owner so we could test all the work we had done.
“It was great to see how safe they are now as they couldn’t reach the ivy to eat and make themselves ill.
“WPBA would like to say a big thank you to Tim and Karen Partridge (and their dog), Jeanette Jones, Amanda Cox, Helen Howard-Smith and Frances Taylor for all theirhard work and giving their time up for such a good cause.”
As part of her new role Helen is riding all the area’s bridleways to check for any obstructions or dangers, and has launched a Facebook group to get people involved.
She has already had another success working with the Brownhill Centre and Oldham Council to clear a path in Dobcross after noticing a large tree had fallen, blocking off the picturesque route.
Helen, who runs the Saddleworth Llama and Donkey Trekking Centre in Denshaw, added: “If we do not look after our bridleways and claim them by 2016 we could lose them for ever.”
If you have a problem with any local bridleway, please report it to Helen by emailing hhtaylor@btinternet.com
You can also find them on Facebook: West Pennine Bridleways Association
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